US Open Odds 2013: Updated Betting Lines for Golf's Biggest Names

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott are No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 in the Official World Golf Rankings, respectively. Therefore, it shouldn't be a big surprise that they're being given the best odds to win the 2013 U.S. Open. 

These top three players will be in one group for the first two rounds at Merion Golf Club's East Course starting on Thursday, June 13, as reported by the Golf Channel on Twitter: 

With a 25,000-person crowd expected each day on the East Course this upcoming weekend, it seems safe to say many of them will attempt to follow this prestigious trio of golf royalty. 

Merion's East Course has been lauded by none other than Jack Nicklaus, who said, "Acre for acre, [Merion] may be the best test of golf in the world."

It's a course that will certainly put the world's best golfers to the test, and here's a look at what kind of odds they're being given to win the 2013 U.S. Open:

World Golf Ranking	Player	Odds
1	Tiger Woods	9-2
2	Rory McIlroy	16-1
3	Adam Scott	20-1
4	Matt Kuchar	22-1
5	Justin Rose	25-1
6	Brandt Snedeker	25-1
7	Luke Donald	28-1
8	Graeme McDowell	25-1
9	Luis Oosthuizen	40-1
10	Phil Mickelson	20-1
11	Lee Westwood	28-1
12	Steve Stricker	40-1
13	Keegan Bradley	40-1
14	Sergio Garcia	33-1
15	Charl Schwartzel	28-1
16	Ian Poulter	66-1
17	Bubba Watson	66-1
18	Webb Simpson	50-1
19	Dustin Johnson	33-1
20	Jason Dufner	33-1
21	Ernie Els	66-1
22	Hunter Mahan	40-1
23	Peter Hanson	80-1
24	Nick Watney	55-1
25	Jason Day	33-1

Note: Odds courtesy of Bovada as of 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 9.

Tiger Woods the Easy Favorite

It's easy to understand why Woods has the lowest odds. 

The guy has been on fire this year, winning four tournaments and posting a fourth-place finish at Augusta National in April at this year's Masters.

The only thing Woods hasn't done since his return to form is win a major title, and it won't be much longer before that particular barrier is crushed underfoot. 

Woods isn't the only one who's been hot this year, however. 

Matt Kuchar Is a Legitimate Contender

Kuchar has lit up the PGA Tour this year with six top-10 finishes and two victories, and he's the only other golfer besides Woods to have won more than once this season.

He's coming off a compelling victory at the Memorial Championship, where he defeated a loaded field to win Nicklaus' signature tournament. The week before, Kuchar finished in second place behind Boo Weekley at the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

Needless to say, Kuchar is seriously hot right now, and at 22-1 odds, he's worth considering if you're in the mood to do some gambling. 

Which Version of Rory McIlroy Will Show Up?

There are two versions of McIlroy on the PGA Tour these days.

Some weekends, the former No. 1 golfer in the world is brilliant, but other times the poor guy can't even make the cut. 

McIlroy has finished in the top 10 four times this year on the PGA Tour—including an impressive eighth-place finish at the Masters—and won an event on the European Tour. 

He's also missed the cut a couple of times, and his last two starts have resulted in a missed cut at the BMW Championship and a tie for 57th place at the Memorial Championship.

Playing with Woods and Scott, the spotlight will shine brightly on this young Northern Irishman. At this point, nobody knows if he'll miss the cut or win the tournament. 

At least we know this: The first couple of rounds won't be boring. 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78